Acts, Bills and Policies

CONTENTS

BANGLADESH

Overseas Employment and Migrants Act 2013Act, Parliament of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh
To read more, click here (PDF; 131 kB)The Overseas Employment and Migrants Act was designed to promote opportunities for overseas employment; to establish a safe and fair system of migration: to ensure rights and welfare of migrant workers and members of their families; to make provisions in conformity with the International Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and the Members of their Families 1990 and other international labour and human rights conventions and treaties ratified by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It replaces the Emigration Ordinance, 1982.
Keywords: employment, labour, international migration, act, Bangladesh

The Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Policy 2016Policy, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
To view the Bengali version of the policy, click here (PDF; 497 kB)The Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Policy was formulated to ensure and encourage safe migration as well as protection of migrants and their families. The policy has a particular chapter on female workers’ migration, in order to highlight the importance of providing safety to female workers migrating to different countries.
Keywords: policy, international migration, labour migration, Bangladesh

National Strategic Action Plan on Migration Health 2015–2018Plan, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of BangladeshTo read more, click here(PDF;1.90 MB)The National Strategic Action Plan on Migration Health was developed through a series of national consultations and in line with the recommendations from the Regional Dialogue on the Health Challenges for Asian Migrant workers (July 2010), the Dhaka Declaration (April 2011) and the World Health Assembly Resolution 61.17 (May 2008) to address the multi-faceted migration related health challenges.
Keywords: migration, health, national plan, Bangladesh

National Women Development Policy 2011Policy, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Government of the Peoples’ Republic of BangladeshTo read more, click here (PDF; 270 kB)The National Women Development Policy highlights the importance of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women, by considering women empowerment as an integral pre-condition for the national development of Bangladesh.Keywords: policy, gender, Bangladesh

National Youth Policy 2003Policy, Department of Youth Development, Government of the People’s Republic of BangladeshTo read more, click here (PDF; 674 kB)Considering the changing world socio-economic situation and the fast-moving advancement in technology, one of the main objectives of the National Youth Policy is to empower youths and create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship development through proper practical education and skill developing training. According to this policy, all Bangladeshi citizens aging 18-35 years shall be treated as youth.
A revised version of the policy was approved by the Cabinet in February 2017.To access the National Youth Policy 2017, click here (PDF in Bengali; 5.3 MB)
Keywords: youth, policy, Bangladesh

National Social Protection Policy for Workers in Bhutan (Draft) 2013Policy, Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, The Royal Government of Bhutan To read more, click here (PDF; 190 kB)The Social Protection Policy aims to promote equality of opportunity for all workers and eliminate discrimination in the workplace. It contributes to the poverty reduction efforts under the 11th Five Year Plan (2013–2018) of Bhutan.Keywords: policy, employment, labour, social protection, Bhutan

National Youth Policy 2011Policy, Ministry of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan
To read more, click here (PDF; 388 kB)The National Youth Policy provides a broad framework for youth engagement that endeavours to ensure that all young men and women in Bhutan are provided with support and meaningful opportunities to reach their full potential as they actively participate in society.Keywords: youth, policy, Bhutan

INDIA

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF, 172 kB)Provides for the abolition of bonded labour system with a view to preventing the economic and physical exploitation of the weaker sections of Indian society
Keywords: government acts and rules, higher wages, forced

Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condiions of Service) Act 1996
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 39 kB)Provides for regulating the employment and conditions of service of building and other construction workers; also provides for their safety, health and welfare measures, and other matters connected therewith
Keywords: government acts and rules, labour, inter state

Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (Pdf; 176 kB)This Act prohibits the engagement of children below the age of 14 years in certain employments and regulates the conditions of work of children in certain other employments.
Keywords: government acts & rules, forced, children

Criminal Law (Ammendment) Act 2013
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 1758 kB)Although primarily concerned with targeting rape and sexual assault, the Bill incorporates a range of other offences dealing with violence against women many of which the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) did not envisage. Two such offences relate to trafficking, an area of considerable policy and legal reform internationally.
Keywords: government acts & rules, forced, labour

Domestic Workers Welfare and Social Security Act 2010 (Draft)
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 211 kB)A central legislation specifically designed to address the working conditions of the domestic workers including registration and to prevent their exploitation.
Keywords: government acts & rules, labour, gender

Equal Renumeration Act 1976
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 120 kB)The Act provides that no employer shall pay to any worker employed by him in an establishment or employment, remuneration whether payable in cash or in kind at the rates less favourable than those at which remuneration is paid by him to the workers of the opposite sex in such establishment or employment. The Act further provides that no discrimination should be made against women at the time of recruitment.
Keywords: government acts & rules, gender

Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 94 kB)An Act to provide in pursuance of the International Convention signed at New York in May 1950, for the prevention of immoral traffic.
Keywords: government acts & rules, gender, children, forced

Payment of Wages Act 1936Act, Government of India (Pre-Independence)
To read more, click here (PDF; 200 kB)The Act was enacted to ensure that wages payable to employed persons covered by the Act were disbursed by the employers within the prescribed time limit and that no deductions other than those authorised by law were made by them.
Keywords: government acts & rules, better working conditions

The Interstate Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act 1979Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 155 kB)The objective of the Act is to regulate the employment of Inter-State Migrant Workmen, to safe guard their interest and to provide for their conditions of service and for matters connected therewith.
Keywords: government acts & rules, labour, inter state, portability of rights

Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008
Act, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 3848 kB)An Act to provide for the social security and welfare of unorganised workers.
Keywords: government acts & rules, better working conditions, higher wages, pension and insurance

Workmen’s Compensation Act 1923
Act, Government of India (Pre-Independence)
To read more, click here (PDF; 336 kB)An Act to provide for the payment by certain classes of employers to their workmen of compensation for injury by accident.
Keywords: government acts & rules, pension and insurance

National Policy for WomenDraft Policy 2016; Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 176 kB)The broad objective of the National Policy for Women is to create a conducive socio-cultural, economic and political environment to enable women enjoy de jure and de facto fundamental rights and realize their full potential. It will replace the National Policy for Empowerment of Women, 2001.
Keywords: policy, India, gender

National Youth PolicyPolicy 2014; Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
To read more, click here (PDF; 1.65 MB)The vision of the National Youth Policy of India is to empower the youth of the country to achieve their full potential, and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations. Its key objectives are to: create a productive workforce; develop a strong and healthy generation; instil social values and promote community service; facilitate participation and civic engagement; support youth at risk and create equitable opportunity for all.
Keywords: policy, India, youth

MALDIVES

The Employment Act 2008Act, Republic of Maldives
To read more, click here (PDF; 2.7 MB)The Employment Act determines the fundamental principles relating to employment in the Maldives, and the rights and obligations of employers and employees; establishes a Labour Relations Authority and an Employment Tribunal to protect such rights; and makes provision for all other matters related to employment. The Act also stipulates the enactment of regulations to govern the employment of foreigners in the Maldives.
The fifth amendment to the Employment Act (2016) introduced a Remittance Tax equivalent to three per cent of the money transferred out of the Maldives by foreigners employed in the Maldives.To view the Expatriate Employment Regulation 2009, click here (PDF in Dhivehi; 1.6 MB)
To view the Fifth Amendment to the Employment Act, click here (PDF; 373 kB)
Keywords: employment, labour, labour rights, act, foreign employment, international migration, labour migration, Maldives

Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2013Act, Republic of Maldives
To read more, click here (PDF in Dhivehi; 545 kB)The main objectives of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act are to prevent the trafficking of persons through and across the Maldives; to establish the crimes of trafficking in persons and prescribe the punishments; to provide for prosecution of perpetrators of trafficking in persons; to provide protection and assistance to victims of human trafficking; to promote and protect human rights of trafficked victims; and to engage in cooperation with local and international NGOs working against human trafficking to combat trafficking in persons.
Keywords: act, human trafficking, Maldives

Gender Equality Act 2016Act, Republic of MaldivesTo read more, click here (PDF in Dhivehi; 885 kB)The Gender Equality Act seeks to ensure to eliminate discrimination between genders and establishes the role of government and other agencies in the implementation of the Act.Keywords: gender, equality, act, Maldives

National Youth Policy 2003
Policy, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Republic of Maldives
To read more, click here (PDF in Dhivehi; 357 kB)The National Youth Policy aims to create the necessary environment and capacity for all young men and women to achieve full participation in the economic and social development of the nation. It was last revised in 2012.
The Policy addresses key areas of education, employment, urban and rural disparities, housing, family, health, environment, crime and delinquency and youth participation. A Maldives Youth Bill has also been drafted.
Keywords: youth, policy, Maldives

NEPAL

Foreign Employment Act, 2064 (2007)Act,Government of NepalTo read more, click here (PDF; 156 kB)The Foreign Employment Act was enacted to amend and consolidate laws relating to foreign employment in order to make foreign employment safe, well-managed and decent; and to protect the rights and interests of the workers and entrepreneurs who go for foreign employment. Along with the Foreign Employment Rules 2064 (2008), this act is the main regulatory framework for foreign recruitment of migrant workers.
To view the Foreign Employment Rules 2064 (2008), click here (PDF; 471 kB)
Keywords: international migration, labour migration, employment, decent work, act, Nepal

The Immigration Act 2049 (1992)
Act, Government of Nepal
To read more, click here (PDF; 39 kb)The objective of the Immigration Act is to regulate and control the entry of foreigners into Nepal, their stay therein and their departure therefrom; and to manage the arrival and departure of the citizens of Nepal.
Keywords: immigration, international migration, act, Nepal

National Youth Policy 2072 (2015)
Policy, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government of Nepal
To read more, click here (PDF; 374 kB)The National Youth Policy aims to provide the fulfilment of the needs of the youth, promote the policy of equality and equitable distribution and protect basic norms and values like caste, language, culture and environmental heritage.
Keywords: youth, policy, Nepal

PAKISTAN

Emigration Ordinance 1979Ordinance, Government of Pakistan
To read more, click here (PDF; 56 kB)The Emigration Ordinance regulates emigration from Pakistan, and provides for the appointment of a Director General of the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment as well as Overseas Employment Promoters. The Emigration Rules 1979 provide the guidelines for the implementation of the ordinance.
The Emigration (Amendment) Act 2016 added a new section on the protection of interests of overseas Pakistanis in the ordinance.To access the Emigration Rules 1979, click here (PDF; 117 kB)
To access the Emigration (Amendment) Act 2016, click here (PDF; 182 kB)
Keywords: international migration, labour migration, Pakistan

National Labour Migration Policy 2008Policy, Ministry for Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Government of Sri Lanka
To read more, click here(PDF; 2.84 MB)This policy focuses on enhancing the benefits of labour migration for migrant workers and their families; and works towards the fulfilment and protection of human and labour rights of all migrant workers.Keywords: labour migration, international migration, labour rights, policy, Sri Lanka

National Migration Health Policy 2012Policy, Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka
To read more, click here (PDF; 438 kB)The Sri Lanka National Migration Health Policy was developed by the Ministry of Health in recognition and promotion of the right to health for internal, in bound and out bound migrants and their families left behind in Sri Lanka. Identifying the multifaceted nature of migrant health, the Ministry adopted a multi-stakeholder and evidence based approach involving thirteen key government ministries with technical assistance from the International Organization for Migration in developing the Policy.
Keywords: health, policy, Sri Lanka

National Policy on Durable Solutions for Conflict-Affected Displacement 2016Policy, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka
To read more, click here (PDF; 764 kB)This policy provides a rights-based set of principles and standards to guide all stakeholders working with internally displaced persons and displacement affected populations, in accordance with Sri Lankan law and policy and international law and humanitarian standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Keywords: conflict, displacement, resettlement, Sri Lanka

National Policy for Decent Work 2006Policy, Government of Sri Lanka
To read more, click here (PDF; 573 kB)The National Policy on Decent Work in Sri Lanka identifies weaknesses in the focus areas of decent work and sets out the policies designed to overcome them. The National Action Plan for Decent Work has also been developed with tripartite and regional participation to convert policy into action. Together, these two documents set out the direction that Sri Lanka needs to take in implementing economic and social development.
Keywords: labour, decent work, employment, policy, Sri Lanka

National Youth Policy 2014Policy, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development, Government of Sri LankaTo read more, click here (PDF; 5.5 MB)The formulation of the National Youth Policy is an attempt to foreground youth development in policy initiatives. This considers youth as a constituency with certain rights and obligations. It recognizes the potential of youth to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country and it also identifies key actors and institutions that have a duty to ensure an enabling environment where youth can flourish.
Keywords: policy, youth, Sri Lanka